FabDigitFabDigit

Steel FeNi42 vs K93603

Steel · grade comparison

Steel FeNi42 and K93603 are both steel grades. FeNi42 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) for K93603, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). FeNi42 runs hotter in service (350°C vs 200°C continuous) and FeNi42 conducts electricity better (2.5 % IACS vs 2.1 % IACS). On the shop floor, K93603 machines more easily (fair vs poor), FeNi42 welds better (very good vs poor), and FeNi42 forms better (excellent vs good).

FeNi42Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

K93603Choose it when the part is machined in volume.

FeNi42 vs K93603: properties

FeNi42K93603

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

145 GPa21 Msi
141 GPa20.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

57 GPa8.3 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

540 MPa78.3 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

33%
32%

Reduction in Area

65%
55%

Shear Strength

370 MPa53.7 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

140 HB
145 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

80 HRB
78 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

150 HV
152 HV

Compressive Strength

—
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.12 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.05 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,427°C2,601 °F

Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Specific Heat Capacity

500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
515 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

5.3 µm/m·K2.9 µin/in·°F
1.7 µm/m·K0.94 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
200°C392 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 10.5 W/m·K6.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 275 J/g118 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.5 % IACS
2.1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m27.6 µΩ·in
8.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m32.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.55 V
-0.35 V

Corrosion Resistance

30 / 100
28 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

30 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

28%
45%

Weldability

72 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb
80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7 kg CO₂/kg
6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

190 L/kg22.8 gal/lb
210 L/kg25.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

67 kN·m/kg
60 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

17.9 MN·m/kg
17.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

310 kJ/m³
259 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.6 mm²/s
2.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
21

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleK93603FeNi42

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityFeNi42K93603
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

FeNi42 vs K93603 — frequently asked

Is FeNi42 stronger than K93603?

Yes. FeNi42 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) for K93603 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, FeNi42 or K93603?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, FeNi42 or K93603?

K93603. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (30/100) for FeNi42; for welding the order is FeNi42 first (very good, 72/100) then K93603 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in FeNi42 and K93603 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.